Erinyes
The Erinyes Fast Attack Walker is manufactured by the Kuat Consortium, and is a high-end mecha marketed as an 'ace machine' and a 'Dracoform killer'. The Erinyes essentially humanoid and has grasping hands, but the legs are the distinct backward "bird bend" common to all Kuat Walkers.
The defining feature of the Erinyes is the vectored-thrust ground effect skirt on each of the machine's 'feet'. The system, code-named DOMS, is similar to a hovercraft air cushion, but uses powerful jet engine thrust. This allows the Erinyes to function like a high-speed hovercraft and make the mecha extremely mobile. Kuat had developed the system earlier as a branch of the vectored-thrust propulsion used in the Spitfire and Banshee, but the had difficulty using it in a ground vehicle because of problems with vertical clearance. A mecha obviously has no such problems; it can just step over (or on) whatever is in the way, so combining the system with a mecha seemed an obvious choice. Complimenting the unit's high speed is its exceptional agility and maneuverability. Many pilots find the Erinyes TOO fast and responsive - compared with other machines, it can feel a bit "twitchy". It takes a skilled pilot to use the machine to its full potential.
The Erinyes also has a number of other distinctive features. Mounted on the left arm is a small buckler, which unfolds into a tower shield-sized energy shield. The shield, based on the Gnome Defense Field pioneered in the Emancipator, is capable of stopping most missiles, ballistic weapons, and energy weapons. The Erinyes also has all-around cameras and sensors, giving the pilot a panoramic view. Finally, the parts also feature a magnetic coating to make the mecha even more maneuverable and responsive, though it must be regularly re-applied.
The Erinyes has two built in Tiger Autocannon, but relies mainly on its carried weapons for firepower; preferred weapons include usually an H20 Mecha Bazooka, an N70 Mecha Rifle, and a Vibrosword. The Erinyes can use many of the same weapons built for the KN-Series, but depending on software versions, the weapons may or may not link to the mecha's targeting system correctly. This emphasis on carried weapons is a significant break from Kuat's usual "walking tanks".
The Erinyes also has systems common to all Kuat Walkers, including PACO, the Panorama piloting system, and Smartlink II targeting software.
Armor protection is comparable to a KN or other mainstay battle mecha, although Kuat does offer an ablative armor jacket for increased protection.
The Erinyes is the chosen mecha of Eblanese ace Tor Stonecliff, and his success with the mecha has increased its profile. The Scandian League also thought highly enough of the design that they bothered to steal an early model to evaluate it.
